Amidst the ongoing farmers’ agitation at Delhi Border, Department of Food and Civic Supplies has decided to increase paddy purchasing centers in the State so that the farmers could not face any problem in paddy sales.
Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) chief cum State Food Minister, Dr Rameshwar Oraon said that the number of paddy purchasing centers in the State has been increased so that farmers get minimum support price for paddy yield.
Oraon said that the number of the centres has increased by one and a half time and in some districts it increased to double than last year.
The Minister said that BJP leaders who questioned the purchase of paddy should see that right now 50 per cent amount is being paid to the farmers within three day in the Hemant Soren Government in lieu of paddy purchase, whereas in the previous Government, farmers who sold paddy are not paid for months.
In response to a question regarding non-purchase of paddy at the several block headquarters, he said that arrangements have been made to buy paddy where there is PACS, in addition to opening centers where there is no paddy purchasing center.
He said at present the minimum support price has been fixed by the Central Government for paddy purchasing center at Rs 1868 per quintal, while the State Government is also giving a bonus of Rs 182 in lieu of this. He informed that in the coming time, an increase in the minimum support price will also be considered.
Replying to the question about ongoing agitation of applicants for the police posts, Oraon said that the Government constituted a high level committee under Chairmanship of Agriculture Minister, Badal looked after the matter not only for the police posts but in other departments also. On the basis of the report of the committee constituted by the party, they will also talk to the Chief Minister in this regard.
On the occasion of Minority Rights Day, Oraon said that the Constitution of India made special arrangements for minorities like other communities; they were discriminated against in the previous BJP Government, especially in the education sector. “Our government understands their problems very well, we are trying our best to provide them benefit by setting plans for them as soon as possible,” he added.